Wednesday, 21 June 2017

It's that time again. Hard to image that Chris Sievey - the man who was Frank Sidebottom passed away so long ago now. June 21st 2010.
Not a day goes past that I'm not reminded of his humour, and his fantastic music.
He is forever missed.
This year, however, is doubly sad as we also lost Chris' youngest son, Harry earlier this year. He was also very talented, and it was almost like being with a younger version of Chris in his company. Such a tragedy to be taken so young. The post is dedicated to both of you. Blimey.

Sunday, 21 June 2015

Hard to believe, but it has been five years since the wonderful Chris Sievey was taken from us.
There's not a day goes by that I personally don't think about the fun, laughs and great music the man gave us, and no doubt I bore friends with stories of him far too often.
Since his passing, the world has come to appreciate both Chris' music and the iconic image of Frank Sidebottom more and more. The Michael Fassbender film Frank opened even more doors for people to check out the legend, despite merely being 'inspired' by the great man's story.
A book, written by legendary rock journalist Mick Middles, entitled Out of His Head covers a lot of ground for those looking to delve deeper into the Frank/Chris mythos, and is highly recommended.
we continue to remember the man as he was, and mourn the loss to the world, and more so his family and friends.
Chris, as always, I salute you. I'll sink a few for you for old times' sake.

Saturday, 21 February 2015

While UFO sightings may seem to be a common thing (whatever
your view on their legitimacy) in our generation, this new book takes a look at
the spate of recorded instances from just before the turn of the century up to
the end of the First World War.

This was a time, of course, when man was actually taking to
the skies very successfully. While the late Victorians had stories of hot air
balloons and airships, the war brought winged fighting machines. And as seeing things
in the sky were a new experience, could it be that this set off fertile
imaginations. Ancient man had to try to understand the Sun and the stars, but
these new-fangled inventions could prove to be too much for the average person
to comprehend at the time.

So this book sets out to discuss the recorded instances of ‘sightings’,
keeping them well within context of the time. Detailing the events in as much
first-hand accounts as possible, it’s a surprisingly eye-opening read. So much
so that it could even be fascinating to those with an interest in war history. And
while it’s clear the author is a firm believer in flying saucers – or whatever
you’d call them – the text is very much fact-based, and far from preachy or condescending.

Unlike the previous book of Watson’s that I reviewed, The
Haynes UFO Investigations Manual, this work is more for those serious about
sightings and the phenomena. Yes, it’s a dense, almost clinical read, but that’s
not to say it’s not a riveting one. The only complaint is one for which there
is no answer – the lack of photographic evidence from the time – so it’s
certainly not a fault of the book. There are illustrations – of varying
quality, but interesting – but it’s the insightful text which keeps you reading
page after page.

While I’m not sure it would make a believer out of you, it
certainly is food for thought.

Sunday, 25 January 2015

Izzy Lee is no stranger to this blog, having reviewed two of her earlier shorts, Legitimate (2013) and Picket (2014). Both of those films contained a strong sociopolitical message and earmarked Izzy as a director to content with in the future. With her latest short, Postpartum she points the lens at another important issue, but yet again, given a macabre and sinister twist.

Diana (Diana Porter) hasn't seen her friend Holly (Kasey Lansdale) for months; with calls unanswered and deeply worried, she heads over to her apartment to see what's wrong. An eviction notice is taped to the front door. Even more concerned now, she hammers on the door, until
Holly opens up. She’s angry at all the noise, and is looking incredibly dishevelled;
it’s as though she hasn’t slept in a while. It transpires that her baby is
sick; “Baby?” Diana clearly didn’t
know her friend was expecting. She’s even more concerned when Holly winces –
holding her head as if attempting to block out some agonising noise – then looks
up, with maniacally glazed eyes, “He’s
stopped”. Diana sees the room has been ransacked, and there’s a putrid
smell which has her gagging. She’s clearly concerned for the welfare of the
baby as well as her friend, who is obviously very unwell too.

As it’s only a seven minute film, it’s not really fair to
divulge much more of the story. You could probably guess certain elements
anyway, particularly given the title. What you won’t guess is how twisted it
gets, and there’s more than a few shocks in store along the way within the
brief running time.

With an remarkably immersive sound design (thanks to
all-rounder Bryan McKay – who also handles the fluid and natural
cinematography), and complementary score by Shayne Gryn, which is never
overpowering or obvious, it’s a joy to watch no matter how grim and disturbing
the subject and visuals are.

Izzy Lee is part of a new breed of horror directors (who, I’ve
no doubt, could also turn their hands to other genres too) coming up at the
moment. What’s brilliant, and purely co-incidental, is this young blood are
mainly female. Alongside now-established talent such as the Soska Sisters, we
have directors such as Izzy, Maude Michaud (Dys-),
Jill Sixx Gevargizian (Call
Girl), Jennifer Kent (The
Babadook), among many others who form this new breed of director who are
making this genre exciting again. Gender is irrelevant, as it should be, and
these filmmakers are pulling no punches with what they are depicting on screen.

If there’s any sense and justice in the world (yeah, I know
there isn’t, but I can hope) film festivals the globe over will pick up Postpartum to add to their roster. With
many more projects in the pipeline for release later this year, and after being
fundamental in the fundraising for the bronze bust of Edgar Allan Poe that now
proudly sits in the Boston Public Library, Izzy Lee is going to be a name you
will be hearing more of, and for all the right reasons. In the meantime, sales of clingfilm will be going through the roof...

Thursday, 1 January 2015

Now it’s not often you are given a script to review, but
that’s what has happened here, so forgive me if it’s a kind of vague essay as I
really don’t want to be revealing too much about the content, or the secrets.
Half Chance comes
from David McCool, who wrote, directed, and starred in the recent short A
Bloodstained Butterfly, which I really enjoyed. Although this wasn’t
the final shooting script, I managed to get a good idea of where it was coming
from and what to expect, and was easily visualised.

It tells the story Matt, who has just moved to a small town
and when visiting a small café meets a beautiful waitress, Alison, who he has
an instant attraction to, and with whom they have so much in common, as well as
an uneasy feeling that they’ve met before. Their initial meeting is disrupted
by an uncouth idiot, Edward, barging in drunk and demanding a drink. Despite
threatening Alison (and Matt, who attempts to stick up for her) with a chainsaw
chain, he is sent on his way, and the pair hook up and begin a relationship. Unfortunately,
a particularly romantic date turns sour when the bully Edward once again comes
on the scene.

Now, from that description, you may well be thinking, ‘So
what?’ Well, what it would be unfair for me to reveal is how the narrative
takes a drastic turn for the strange, culminating in what could well be an
amazing Twilight Zone-esq tale which
would bend minds as well as tug at the heartstrings.

This is certainly a story which needs to be made, and I look
forward to being on the front line of the reviews once it is!

For more information on David McCool, check out
his website. You can view his first
short – an incredibly inventive and effective diversion entitled Sparks below.

Thursday, 11 December 2014

Not all short films have to have a shock value, some can make their point quite subtly. Jamie Hooper's latest, Terry and Brenda has a little of both.
The titular couple (Tim Blackwell and Debra Baker) are a typical slobby northern pair. They sit feeding their faces in their gaudily decorated living room, watching TV, discussing their friend's party and making lewd comments to each other. "I'll make fish fingers"; "I'll give you fish fingers later" However, you can tell there's something sinister underneath the banality. Well, it wouldn't be much of a horror short if there wasn't would it?

Without wanting to reveal too much of the film's secrets (it's only 15minutes long, and, as ever, the joy is in discovering for one's self), the film reveals the couple's strange peccadilloes (hinted at in the film poster) but also manages to completely subvert expectations a number of times.

Hooper has utilised a very simple setup - think The Royle Family - to create an atmosphere of disquiet. Following the otherwise mundane conversation (particularly hinted at in the film's tagline) leads the viewer to come to the natural conclusion of their intentions and sinister hobby. When the reality behind the couple's relationship is shown it's both a joy and a shock - but it's not over then. Further revelations make it even more fun and macabre. The performances are the right side of caricature, and while they could be in danger of going OTT, they manage to remain fun and alarmingly believable.

I'm not sure if it was intentional or not - and having seen photos of the actor 'looking normal' I can only assume it was - but Debra Baker's Brenda is a dead ringer for a young Queenie Watts, a regular feature in '60s and '70s British comedies. Without being overly showy, Hooper has made a fun short which will no doubt be a crowd pleaser at upcoming festivals. Make sure you see it should you get a chance - it might even inspire you to re-watch Robocop.

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Unlike the other ‘novelty’ manuals which the esteemed
publishers Haynes produce alongside their car maintenance ones, this UFO tome
is actually of interest and manages to hold the attention longer than some.

What we have is actually an informative and engrossing look
at the UFO phenomena in all its forms, and from a very serious and rather
believable standing. From case files to hoaxes and all points in between the
author makes what could have been a throwaway lighthearted read into something
which makes one think.

Naturally, if you’re picking the book up, the chances are
you would have more than a passing interest in the notion – or indeed a little
glimmer of hope - that there’s life elsewhere. Over the course of 160-odd
pages, there’s plenty of food for thought, which might not convert the skeptics
but is certainly entertaining and informative enough to keep one turning the
pages.

Among the great chapters there’s some fantastic photographs,
and, as mentioned, the subject of hoaxes and fakes is covered with the same
seriousness and explains in detail how many of the images and videos have been
debunked – naturally one of the main parts of any UFO investigators’ jobs.

Mystical places are touched upon in one chapter, with the
stones at Stonehenge and Avebury as well as Glastonbury Tor being singled out.
The photos used to illustrate the informative text are as enthralling as they
should be. Regardless of one’s viewpoint, it’s certainly a page turner.

It’s a handsome book, which will no doubt keep you returning
to flick through and enjoy time and again. You never know, you may well pick up
some UFO spotting tips with the information given on how to actually go about
being a UFO investigator. Results are not guaranteed, but at least you’ll get
out in the open air.

It sure beats having a dog-eared, grease-stained copy of the
Haynes ’91 Fiesta Manual lying about.